AOPA Online Members Only - 50th Anniversary of the Cessna 172 - Photo In July 1956, Ward and Ralph McDowell from Forth Worth, Texas, took delivery of Cessna's 1,000th Cessna 172, which rolled off Cessna's assembly line. Cessna President Dwane Wallace (second from left), presented the two brothers with a gold key to the airplane.

In July 1956, Ward and Ralph McDowell from Forth Worth, Texas, took delivery of Cessna's 1,000th Cessna 172, which rolled off Cessna's assembly line. Cessna President Dwane Wallace (second from left), presented the two brothers with a gold key to the airplane.